We have all heard of "Pop Idol" on the TV, well this little cigarette tin is "London Idol" who was "Vesta Tilley" a famous male impersonator and the brand was introduced in 1914 and was manufactured by R & J Hill Ltd, founded in 1775, in Shoreditch, London, E, ( Known as the Badminton Tobacco Works). They also operated the following companies: Wood Bros, Leeds - Harry Archer & Co, London, - Strathmore Tobacco Co, London, & Gold & Co, Birmingham. 

 

bacco

Matilda Alice Powles (13 May 1864 – 16 September 1952), was an English music hall performer who adopted, at age 11, the stage name Vesta Tilley and who became one of the most famous male impersonators of her era. She was a star in both Britain and the United States for over thirty years.

 

Bacco, interesting design, and surely not many brand names after real people? When were cork tips first used? Keith

Early 1920's I believe

lummox

Hi Bacco.

We had a previous post about this tin back in May 2015.

It's in the TIN section not the baccy.

Thanks Lummox.

So is it safe to assume the London Idol tin is post 1920s

Vesta made her stage debut at St Georges Hall, Nottingham, where her father was the manager.